Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Computers & Peripherals => Topic started by: tsinsf on August 23, 2019, 10:58:49 pm

Title: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: tsinsf on August 23, 2019, 10:58:49 pm

I use a NEC 302W 30 inch monitor. I am in the process of configuring a new computer to purchase. I read on Puget Systems that "Quadro (GPU) cards are required for 30-bit color (RGB) / 10-bit displays". I understand 10 bit verses 8 bit monitors (mine is a 10 bit), but am clueless about what the "30-bit color (RGB)" part refers to. Could someone explain this to me? Does my NEC need a Quadro Card? My current computer, a 2013 Mac Pro, does not have a Quadra Card.

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: Fred Salamon on August 24, 2019, 12:58:44 am

I think that it refers to 10 bits per channel.
So, 10 bits Red plus 10 bits Green plus 10 bits Blue gives you 30 bit color.

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: geneo on August 24, 2019, 01:03:25 am

3 colors (RGB ) x 10 bits per color = 30 bits.

Nvidia now supports 10 bit per color displays on their 10 and 20 series GeFroce graphics cards with their latest Windows 10 studio drivers (vs. game ready drivers). Quadro is no longer needed as of recent GeForce studio drivers.

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: digitaldog on August 24, 2019, 11:04:27 am

Big, big difference between bits and colors and more isn't necessarily better too:
http://digitaldog.net/files/ColorNumbersColorGamut.pdf

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: tsinsf on August 24, 2019, 11:47:55 am

Thanks for the replies. Now while I'm learning about monitors and connection options, I have another question. Currently my NEC 302 is connected to my 2013 Mac Pro using an HDMI cable. Would switching to a display port cable offer any advantages in terms of resolution and color output?

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: digitaldog on August 24, 2019, 11:55:54 am

Quote from: tsinsf on August 24, 2019, 11:47:55 am

Thanks for the replies. Now while I'm learning about monitors and connection options, I have another question. Currently my NEC 302 is connected to my 2013 Mac Pro using an HDMI cable. Would switching to a display port cable offer any advantages in terms of resolution and color output?

Yes, very possible. What do you see in your system report?

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: tonysiciliano1 on August 24, 2019, 08:11:54 pm

Here is what is in the system report (there are two identical):

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: tonysiciliano1 on August 25, 2019, 05:51:31 pm

Posted the wrong system report, here is the correct one:

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: digitaldog on August 25, 2019, 08:49:01 pm

Quote from: tonysiciliano1 on August 25, 2019, 05:51:31 pm

Posted the wrong system report, here is the correct one:

Looks OK, now test in Photoshop with a document designed to show if you're getting high bit video (examine at 100%, you should see zero banding):
 http://digitaldog.net/files/10-bit-test-ramp.zip

Title: Re: What is 30-bit color (RGB)?
Post by: tonysiciliano1 on August 26, 2019, 08:30:25 pm

Thanks for the help. No banding in the image you sent, so I am set.